COMMONWEALTH OF AUSTRALIA (Civil Aviation Regulations 1998), PART 39 - 105 CIVIL AVIATION SAFETY AUTHORITY
SCHEDULE OF AIRWORTHINESS DIRECTIVES
Piper PA-31 Series Aeroplanes
AD/PA-31/113
Amdt 1
Elevator Hinge 11/86 DM
Applicability: All model PA-31P with S/Nos 31P-03 to 31P-7730012 All model PA-31T with S/Nos 31T-7400001 to 31T-8120104 All model PA-31T1 with S/Nos 31T-7804001 to 31T-
1104017 All model PA-31T2 with S/Nos 31T-8166001 to 31T-1166008 All model PA-31T3 with S/Nos 31T-8275001 to 31T-5575001
Requirement: Unless already accomplished inspect in accordance with Piper Service Bulletin No 826A.
Compliance: Within 25 hours time in service after 17 October 1986.
Background: Some elevator hinges on affected aircraft have forging defects which may lead to cracks developing. This could lead to loss of elevator control. This amendment increases the range of aircraft requiring inspection.
Overview
The Civil Aviation Regulations 1998, administered by the Civil Aviation Safety Authority, were enacted to ensure the safety and efficiency of aviation operations within Australia. Specifically, Part 39, Section 105, includes the Schedule of Airworthiness Directives which aims to address safety concerns and maintain high standards in civil aviation. The legislative instrument F2006B05700 focuses on Piper PA-31 Series aeroplanes, with AD/PA-31/113 Amendment 1 targeting elevator hinge issues. The directive was introduced to mitigate the risk of elevator control loss due to potential forging defects in certain elevator hinges, which could compromise flight safety. The policy objective is to mandate inspections and ensure compliance within a specified timeframe to enhance the safety of the affected aircraft fleet.
The directive applies to all Piper PA-31 models with specific serial numbers, requiring inspections in accordance with Piper Service Bulletin No 826A. Compliance must be achieved within 25 hours of time in service after 17 October 1986, underscoring the urgency and importance of addressing this safety issue. This amendment expands the scope of aircraft requiring inspection, ensuring a broader safety net for aviation operations.
Scope and Application
The Civil Aviation Regulations 1998, specifically Part 39 - 105, addresses the Civil Aviation Safety Authority's Schedule of Airworthiness Directives for Piper PA-31 Series Aeroplanes. The regulation in question, AD/PA-31/113 Amendment 1, pertains to the inspection of elevator hinges on certain models of Piper PA-31 aeroplanes. This directive applies to all model PA-31P with serial numbers ranging from 31P-03 to 31P-7730012, all model PA-31T with serial numbers from 31T-7400001 to 31T-8120104, all model PA-31T1 with serial numbers from 31T-7804001 to 31T-1104017, all model PA-31T2 with serial numbers from 31T-8166001 to 31T-1166008, and all model PA-31T3 with serial numbers from 31T-8275001 to 31T-5575001. The directive mandates that unless the inspection specified in Piper Service Bulletin No 826A has already been performed, the inspection must be carried out within 25 hours of time in service after 17 October 1986. The directive aims to address potential forging defects in the elevator hinges, which could lead to cracks and subsequent loss of elevator control. This requirement underscores the importance of maintaining the airworthiness of these aircraft models by ensuring that identified safety concerns are addressed promptly and effectively.
Key Provisions
The Civil Aviation Regulations 1998, specifically in Part 39, mandate that certain Piper PA-31 Series aeroplanes must undergo inspection and possible repair of their elevator hinges. This directive, known as AD/PA-31/113 Amendment 1, applies to all Piper PA-31P, PA-31T, PA-31T1, PA-31T2, and PA-31T3 models within specified serial number ranges. The requirement (Section 1) is for these aircraft to be inspected in accordance with Piper Service Bulletin No 826A unless this inspection has already been completed. The inspection must be carried out within 25 hours of time in service after 17 October 1986, ensuring that any potential forging defects in the elevator hinges are identified and addressed before they can develop into more serious issues.
The obligations imposed by this Act are clear and specific. Aircraft owners and operators must ensure that their aeroplanes fall within the serial number ranges specified in the directive and must conduct the inspection as per Piper Service Bulletin No 826A. The inspection is to be completed within the stipulated timeframe to maintain the airworthiness of the aircraft. Failure to comply with these requirements could result in the aircraft not being certified as airworthy, potentially leading to grounding of the aircraft and prohibiting its operation until the required inspection and any necessary repairs are completed.
In terms of the consequences of non-compliance, the Act does not explicitly detail the specific penalties for breaching these requirements. However, under general aviation safety regulations, non-compliance can lead to significant civil and potentially criminal consequences. Civil penalties may include fines, and criminal penalties could involve imprisonment, depending on the severity and impact of the non-compliance on aviation safety. Additionally, the Civil Aviation Safety Authority (CASA) has the authority to take enforcement actions such as grounding the aircraft, imposing further restrictions, or taking legal action against the non-compliant party. These measures are intended to ensure that all affected aircraft are inspected and any issues are rectified to prevent potential safety hazards.